Scheppach (Tormek knockoff) 119$ @ amazon

[sediener]

http://www.amazon.com/Scheppach-Vert...ag=rssfeeds-20

be ye enabled...

[cliff56]

HF has a tormek knockoff for $109.00 bought one on sale with coupon for $79.00 also have accessories on website. may not be a tormek but seems to work fine bet acessories woulf fit too.

[Douglas Robinson]

As I understand things one of the major differences between the Tormek and the knock offs is the quality of the stone. The stone of the Tormek is more expensive than some of the knock offs themselves.

Doug

[WoodWrangler]

I had the Scheppach before aquiring the Tormek. It's a solid machine, however the downside is the smaller stone (8") and the stone is not the same quality as the Tormek (I would classify it as "softer").

However, that's a good price on it for sure. It used to retail for $299. This would be a good alternative to the Tormek and is definately better quality than most HF things -- though I can't vouch for the HF clone.

[Mark Gottesman]

I just got the HF model. I had to give it a spin for the price. As said, it lists for $109 and was on sale for $79. I had a 15% coupon (still around till today) and the machine rang up at $69.00. It was about $63.00 out the door.

I have not used a Tormek, but I am sure this machine is a pale comparison to it. It does work, but is slow. This is due due, in part, to the fact that it is a friction drive set up and any heavy pressure on the wheel will stall it. I have sharpened a 2" plane blade (stanley/craftsman) and a Stanley #60 3/4" butt chisel. They will now cut endgrain like butter and leave a silky surface on planing. That is right off the honing wheel on the machine and without lapping the back. It is certainly better than I have ever done freehand. And I love the clean grind across the face.

Besides the speed of cutting, water goes everywhere when doing a 2" wide blade on a 1" stone. The catch basin needs a bit more flare to catch the water. I also found that the wheel had a bad hop in it. I have not gotten the truing tool, but it will be my next purchase and should improve the usability of the machine.

So, for a inexpensive tool, it seems to fill the needs of an occasional user.

[Gofor]

Originally Posted by WoodWrangler

I had the Scheppach before aquiring the Tormek. It's a solid machine, however the downside is the smaller stone (8") and the stone is not the same quality as the Tormek (I would classify it as "softer")....

The mention of the softer stone brought to mind my experience with a Delta slow speed wet grinder I bought years ago. It worked well (albeit slow) but over time, the metal bushing inside the stone wheel corroded and expanded, cracking the wheel. I ordered another from Delta, but the replacement was so soft it was unuseable.

Bottom line, if the wheel shaft bushing on your machine, regardless of brand, is steel, remove the wheel occasionally to clean the bushing so corrosion product does not crack it. Most now are probably plastic, but it would not hurt to check. Also, the replacement may not be the quality of the initial one.

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